Dovetail to Red Dot Adapter

Scrumbag · Apr 18, 2019

All, I have a 9.3x62 and I like it a lot. But, it has iron sights and my eyes are not getting any younger.

It's an old FN Commercial Round Bridge which I am loathed to put a drill bit into:

What the rifle does have is an express sight on the barrel in a dove tail.

I have seen dovetail to red dot adapters for Burris / Docter type sights. Do you reckon this is worth a a try? I've had a Burris FastFire on my 12b pump action which has been used to shoot slugs at turning targets and is now sitting on my .44 Mag lever action so I quite like the design.

Will a mount like this:

EGW-Sight-Mount-Burris-Fastfire-Vortex-Venom-Viper-Smith-and-Wesson-MP-9mm-shield-49308_960x667.jpg

Hold up to being on a 9.3x62?

Thoughts please folks!

Scrummy

BeeMaa · Apr 18, 2019

Wayne at AHR offers an adapter on the CZ dovetail for reflex sights.
http://americanhuntingrifles.com/home/accessories/
I don't see a huge difference in the concepts in play here.

Hunter4752001 · Apr 18, 2019

Red dot sights are regularly mounted on semi-auto pistol slides using mounts similar to the one you pictured. The jolting from a reciprocating slide will be greater than your rifle. The problem is that most dovetails are different and matching your rifles rear sight dovetail may mean custom fitting by a gunsmith. JP Enterprises offer a "universal gunsmith blank" mount for their JPoint sight. The base is left thick so that a gunsmith can machine it to suit the application https://jprifles.com/buy.php?item=JPA-GS I don't know if any other manufacturer does this but I'm sure a skilled machinist could make something from scratch.
ps I agree completely with your reluctance to drill & tap your rifle. Classic commercial mausers just have that something special about them.

Scrumbag · Apr 19, 2019

Hunter4752001 said:
Red dot sights are regularly mounted on semi-auto pistol slides using mounts similar to the one you pictured. The jolting from a reciprocating slide will be greater than your rifle. The problem is that most dovetails are different and matching your rifles rear sight dovetail may mean custom fitting by a gunsmith. JP Enterprises offer a "universal gunsmith blank" mount for their JPoint sight. The base is left thick so that a gunsmith can machine it to suit the application https://jprifles.com/buy.php?item=JPA-GS I don't know if any other manufacturer does this but I'm sure a skilled machinist could make something from scratch.
ps I agree completely with your reluctance to drill & tap your rifle. Classic commercial mausers just have that something special about them.

I think this might be worth a shot. I can always drill and tap later if needs be. I have some brass punches so I might drift the current express sight out and put a micrometer on it to get some dimensions and see what might or might not work.

Scrummy

Luvthunt · Apr 19, 2019

You can do a couple of things—but first it would be better to upgrade your red dot to a Trijicon or Leupold or last choice a Burris fastfire 3. I use a trijicon on my 458 lott and a 416 Rigby. Have more then 500 rounds thru the Lott. No issues.
I have used J Points on a 45/70 and slug guns and N frame revolvers. Shoot around 5000 rounds a year thru the Nframes. The Jpoint held up well as to recoil but after 3-4 years started to fade, also they use a plastic lense and it caused me issues. Had one Doctor and it was only a little better the the Jpoint.
As to a mount you can pick up a base that will fit your dovetail with a weaver or pic on top and then buy a mount that fastens to the pic or weaver slots. Brownells should have them. I got most of my stuff from Optics Planet.
As you said measure your dovetail and go from there.
The mount from Wayne at AHR is to fit the slots on a Brno/CZ. I use them also on my Brno 458. You will not be sorry as the red dot is a MAJOR help for old eyes. Like mine!!

Scrumbag · Apr 19, 2019

Luvthunt said:
You can do a couple of things—but first it would be better to upgrade your red dot to a Trijicon or Leupold or last choice a Burris fastfire 3. I use a trijicon on my 458 lott and a 416 Rigby. Have more then 500 rounds thru the Lott. No issues.
I have used J Points on a 45/70 and slug guns and N frame revolvers. Shoot around 5000 rounds a year thru the Nframes. The Jpoint held up well as to recoil but after 3-4 years started to fade, also they use a plastic lense and it caused me issues. Had one Doctor and it was only a little better the the Jpoint.
As to a mount you can pick up a base that will fit your dovetail with a weaver or pic on top and then buy a mount that fastens to the pic or weaver slots. Brownells should have them. I got most of my stuff from Optics Planet.
As you said measure your dovetail and go from there.
The mount from Wayne at AHR is to fit the slots on a Brno/CZ. I use them also on my Brno 458. You will not be sorry as the red dot is a MAJOR help for old eyes. Like mine!!

Thanks for the tips. Any thoughts on Docter, Zeiss or Leica red dots?

Luvthunt · Apr 19, 2019

No expierence with Zeiss or Lecia.

Inline6 · Apr 19, 2019

I am a big fan of Aim point. All of ones listed above are holographic. Meaning the image is projected on the screen. It's okay in dry conditions but if moisture gets in the way of the beam... well it will not work well. My .02.

Longwalker · Apr 19, 2019

I really like the simple cheap Burris Fastfire red dot sights. If the others mentioned are better quality, even more reason not to worry. I think you'll like how they work for you.

Scrumbag · Apr 20, 2019

Longwalker said:
I really like the simple cheap Burris Fastfire red dot sights. If the others mentioned are better quality, even more reason not to worry. I think you'll like how they work for you.

I do like the Fastfire.

Only thing I note is the RMR has a 1 MOA dot which looks interesting...

Scrumbag · Apr 20, 2019

Inline6 said:
I am a big fan of Aim point. All of ones listed above are holographic. Meaning the image is projected on the screen. It's okay in dry conditions but if moisture gets in the way of the beam... well it will not work well. My .02.

Good point. The FastFire I have comes with a "Housing" that sits over the sight with clear lenses at either end...

Scrummy

Scrumbag · Apr 20, 2019

THis sort of thing (not my image)

Lance Hopper · Apr 21, 2019

You are on the right track for old eyes. I have several, not just on DGR's. DO NOT scrimp on quality. Get the Leopold Delta Point. Has the largest Distortion FREE lens without any color or tint. It is true daylight bright or can be dim enough for dusk without any flair. Get the dot, not the delta, its too big. It has motion sensor technology, meaning that after 5 minutes of no motion it turns itself off and will be on before you can get it in your shoulder. There is a brand, can't remember, that turns off if it is tilted more than 70 degrees or so. Useless! What happens if you fall or get knocked down and have to fire from your side? Good luck with your endeavor. You will enjoy your guns much more. BTW, if you ever decide to retire your FN I'm interested! Sure I'm not the first you have heard that from, but wanted to throw my hat in the ring if the day ever comes.

Scrumbag · Apr 21, 2019

Lance Hopper said:
You are on the right track for old eyes. I have several, not just on DGR's. DO NOT scrimp on quality. Get the Leopold Delta Point. Has the largest Distortion FREE lens without any color or tint. It is true daylight bright or can be dim enough for dusk without any flair. Get the dot, not the delta, its too big. It has motion sensor technology, meaning that after 5 minutes of no motion it turns itself off and will be on before you can get it in your shoulder. There is a brand, can't remember, that turns off if it is tilted more than 70 degrees or so. Useless! What happens if you fall or get knocked down and have to fire from your side? Good luck with your endeavor. You will enjoy your guns much more. BTW, if you ever decide to retire your FN I'm interested! Sure I'm not the first you have heard that from, but wanted to throw my hat in the ring if the day ever comes.

Always good to not skimp on quality as you say. Not considered the Leupold, will look into it.

It seems you, my father, some guy in Montana, another in Alberta, the 'smith in Scotland who installed the cocking piece sight and a few others...

Scrumbag · Apr 24, 2019

This idea is starting to look better.

The Dovetail for the Express V is 15 - 13mm (Bottom-Top) and about 15mm square across the top

So quite a bit of area and purchase for machining one of these to fit.

Thank you @Hunter4752001 for the heads up.

I have reached out to some 'smiths I trust to see what they say.

Scrummy

Scrumbag · Apr 24, 2019

Hi folks,

Poll for which Relex Sight is here: https://www.africahunting.com/threads/which-reflex-for-9-3x62.49331/

Let me know your thoughts.

Scrummy

Scrumbag · Jul 26, 2019

Well folks, got it done!

Red dot now on 9.3x62

Let me know your thoughts.

https://www.africahunting.com/threads/which-red-dot-reflex-for-a-9-3x62.49331/page-3#post-562631

Scrummy

Dovetail to Red Dot Adapter

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